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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Hogsett Announces Sentencing of Man Who Possessed Gun Used to Kill Officer Brent Long

TERRE HAUTE—“Today marks the conclusion
of a difficult chapter in Terre Haute’s history, but we will not rest in our
continued effort to honor the life and service of Officer Brent Long,” said
Joseph H. Hogsett, the United States Attorney, in announcing the sentencing of
Brad “Pappy” Keller, age 48, to 18 months in federal prison today by District
Judge William T. Lawrence. This follows Keller’s guilty plea to charges of
illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, a weapon which was
subsequently sold to and used by Shaun Seeley in the killing of Terre Haute
Police Officer Brent Long on July 11 of last year.

“These convictions represent a
groundbreaking legal strategy,” Hogsett added. “I pledge that our office will
continue to use every means available to hold accountable all those who put law
enforcement officers in harm’s way.”

On July 11, 2011, Officer Brent Long and
his K-9 partner, Shadow, entered a Terre Haute residence while serving a
warrant on Shaun Seeley for a felony probation violation. Gunfire was heard
outside the residence, and after law enforcement officers entered the house,
Officer Long was recovered and Seeley, dead of an apparently self-inflicted
gunshot wound, was identified. Officer Long passed away as a result of his
injuries.

After discovering that state law did not
provide an effective path of prosecution against those involved in the killing,
the U.S. Attorney’s Office assisted with the opening of a federal investigation
into Officer Long’s death. Led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), this effort
resulted in last year’s indictment of seven Terre Haute residents.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney
Matthias D. Onderak, who prosecuted the case for the government, seven
defendants have now been sentenced for their roles in the shooting. That
includes five individuals—Heather Elkins, 23; Charles Elkins, 23; Roberta
Utterback, 51; Jenny Torres, 23; and Jesse Padgett, 21—who all admitted to
making a material false statement to law enforcement in relation to the events
of that day.

Two individuals, Scott Griffy and Brad
“Pappy” Keller, pleaded guilty to charges in connection with their alleged
illegal possession and sale of the weapon used in the shooting. Specifically,
Keller admitted to illegally possessing the 9mm pistol used by Shaun Seeley in
killing Officer Long. That firearm was later obtained by Scott Griffy, also a
convicted felon, who was sentenced to seven years in prison in August on
charges relating to the illegal sale of the weapon to Seeley shortly before the
shooting.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney
Matthias D. Onderak, who prosecuted the case for the government, Keller is a
five-time convicted felon, including prior convictions for burglary and
attempted burglary in Vigo County. Keller was on probation for drug charges
relating to the possession and production of methamphetamine when he was
arrested.

Since filing these charges, the United
States Attorney’s Office has used the “Terre Haute” prosecution strategy in two
other police-related shootings. In January 2011, Indianapolis Metropolitan
Police Department Officer David Moore was gunned down by an illegally armed
convicted felon during a routine traffic stop. Last week, Hogsett announced
charges against an individual alleged to have illegally possessed and sold the
firearm used by the convicted felon to murder Officer Moore.

Similarly, Hogsett recently announced
charges against another individual who is alleged to have illegally sold a
firearm to a convicted felon who later used that weapon to wound IMPD Officer
Dewey Runnels during a routine traffic stop.

“Our commitment is real, and our resolve
is unwavering,” Hogsett added. “This office simply will not tolerate violence
against our law enforcement officers, just as we will not allow the lawless
behavior that enables such tragedies to go unpunished.”